Tables with collapsible tabletops



Juiy 14, 1970 P. J. M. oscoz SANCHEZ 3,520,259

TABLES WITH COLLAPSIBLE TABLETOPS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 22, 1967 1NTOR Bsc ua [Jc %rl& Oscoz'g vc/Fez ATTORNEY July 14, 1970 P. J. M.oscoz SANCHEZ 3,520,259

TABLES WITH COLLAPSIBLE TABLETOPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 22, 1967ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,520,259 TABLES WITH COLLAPSIBLETABLETOPS Pascual Jos M. Oscoz Sanchez, Ibanez de Bilbao, 6 Bilbao, 1,Spain Filed Dec. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 692,796 Int. Cl. A471) l/O4 US. Cl.108-79 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A table having a stationaryframe composed of a pair of end panels connected by a fixed frame ofless width than the panels. A leaf-supporting frame is attached by avertical pivot to the inside face of one of the panels at one side ofthe fixed frame and a similar leaf-supporting frame is similarly pivotedto the said panel at the opposite side of the fixed frame. Each of theleafsupporting panels has a pivotally attached leg-bearing frame, andthe leaf-supporting and leg-bearing frames are capable of movement to ahoused position between the panels when leaves attached to the fixedframe are swung downwardly, said leaves being supported by theleafsupporting frames and by the leg-bearing frames when theleaf-supporting and leg-bearing frames are swung outwardly from thefixed frame and said panels and are disposed horizontally and rest uponsaid frames.

The structure in question is constituted by two elements in the form ofa frame, articulated to one another in such a manner that it is possibleto collapse one against the other. One of the said elements is in turnarticulated to a lateral element of the fixed framework of the table.The other element is consequently joined to the said fixed frame bymeans of the intermediate element. Both folding frameworks are equippedwith interior projecting pieces which are supported on the floor in themanner of legs, either directly or by means of an adjustable wheel orcaster.

Both the frameworks have appropriate dimensions so that on collapsingthem against the fixed framework, the collapsible tabletop, articulatedat the upper horizontal edge of the fixed framework, covers both thefolded frames, and on these frames being unfolded they support the saidcollapsible tabletop in a horizontal position.

The said fixed framework can articulate two collapsible tabletops oneach side. Likewise, it can form part of a suitable piece of furniturewhich can incorporate other folding elements, identical with or distinctfrom that which is the subject of the present invention.

In order to enable the invention to be better understood, in the annexeddrawings, which complement the present exposition, there is shown apractical form for its industrial embodiment which is included with amerely informative character, and consequently is not limitative of theinvention.

In the said drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the structure of a table inaccordance with the invention in an unfolded, semiunfolded andcompletely folded position, respectively, the tabletop being omitted forthe sake of greater clarity.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show the same table, now including the tabletop in thecompletely unfolded position, with one single tabletop unfolded, andboth tabletops collapsed.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show, in an arrangement similar to that of FIGS. 1, 2and 3, a structure in accordance with the invention but corresponding toanother form of embodiment.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show the same table as that represented in FIGS. 7,8 and 9, complete with both tabletops.

"ice

FIG. 13 shows a variant of embodiment of the same invention, applied toa piece of office furniture.

As is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the structure of the table is constitutedby a fixed framework formed by two lateral elements (FIG. I) joined by aframe 2; in one of the said lateral elements, near the edge and at theinner face, there is articulated, by means of hinges, an element 3 inthe form of a frame which by its other lateral part is articulated toanother similar framework 4, by means of the hinges 5. The saidarticulation 5 is prolonged below the frame, following the coincidencebetween an inferior prolongation of the frame 3, which operates as aleg, and another similar prolongation of the frame 4, which in turn, hasanother leg at its other end.

The said fixed framework articulates a structure such as that describedon each side, when a folding table with two collapsible tabletops isinvolved .The said tabletops are articulated at the corresponding edgeof the small intermediate tabletop 7 which joins both the lateralelements 1 of the fixed framework.

As is clearly shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the supporting structure for thetabletops can be situated in the completely unfolded position, the twoframeworks 3 and 4 forming a right angle, in such a manner that asupport with four supporting elements is constituted for each tabletop.In the said position the check-pieces 8 limit and fix the position ofthe folding structure. In the said position, both the frameworks 3 and 4are collapsed one against the other, and the complex is collapsedagainst the frame 2 of the fixed framework in such a manner that theedges of the lateral elements 1 do not project beyond the externalsuperimposed framework 3.

Consequently the corresponding tabletop 6 conceals the said foldedcomplex, which is housed in the interior of the recess so formed.

FIG. 13 shows a structure such as that described, coupled to the lateralelements 13, of a piece of furniture 12 equipped with drawers. Thispiece of furniture consequently acts as the fixed framework, and isequipped with an upper tabletop and collapsible lids or tabletops, whichare not represented in the drawings.

The folding frameworks can adopt other forms, such as, for example,those represented in FIGS. 7 to 12. In this case, the said frameworksare formed by an upper cross-piece which joins two legs which, in theend framework 11 are equal, and in the framework 10 are of differentlengths. In the framework 10, the external leg is equal to the legs ofthe framework 11, to one of which it is articulated, and the inner leg9, which is shorter, is articulated to the fixed framework.

The folding and unfolding, as well as the arrangement of the tabletops,are identical with the form which has been described above.

Evidently a structure such as that described is capable, in any one ofits variants, of forming part of numerous pieces of furniture,especially of pieces of furniture of the unit type, and can likewise becombined with any folding structure, equal to or different from thatdescribed.

Having sufliciently described the nature of the invention, together withan example of its practical embodiment, it only remains to add that inthe complex and parts described it is possible to introduce changes ofmaterial, form and arrangement of the elements, provided that suchalterations do not affect the essence of the invention.

I claim:

1. A foldable table structure comprising: a stationary frame including apair of spaced-apart panels, a bracing frame extending between andsecured to the panels, said bracing frame being of less width than thewidth of each panel whereby portions of the panels project laterallybeyond the sides of the bracing frame to thereby provide storage spacingbetween the side edges of the panels and the bracing frame, a leafsupport including a first leafsupporting frame attached by a verticalpivot to the inside face of one of the panels, a second leaf-supportingframe pivotally attached to the outer end of the first leafsupportingframe whereby the second frame can be swung to dispose it at rightangles to the first leaf-supporting frame, the second frame having legsby which it can rest on the floor, the second leaf-supporting framebeing swingable on its pivot to bring it flatly against the inside ofthe first leaf-supporting frame and the two leaf-supporting frames beingswingable to bring them into one of the storage spaces to one side ofthe bracing frame, a cross piece extending between and connecting thetops of the panels, and leaves attached on horizontal pivots to thecross piece, one of said leaves being horizontally disposed andsupported by the leaf-supporting panels when said panels are extendedout of the storage space and said leaves being downwardly dependent tocover and conceal the frames in the storage space when such frames arehoused in at least one of such spaces.

2. A foldable table structure according to claim 1,

wherein one of the first leaf-supporting frames is attached to the panelat the opposite sides of the bracing frame, with each of theleaf-supporting frames and its attached second frame being capable ofstorage in each of the storage spaces, the second leaf-supporting framein each of the supports being foldable in a manner to dispose it betweenthe first frame and the bracing frame in the storage position of thesupport.

References Cited BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner G. O. FINCH, AssistantExaminer

